12th Nov 2012. By Ezra Chim. CM –
On November 11, the writer was privileged to attend the Sunday morning service at the Gereja Baptis Rasah Jaya in Seremban. Coming from Kuala Lumpur and have attended big mega churches in the city with worship in modern contemporary music and with full band of musicians, it was a welcome change to sing along hymns that was written and sung in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Hymns of yesteryears provide a rich, strong and deep theological message to the majesty, supremacy, and the authority of our God. It was composed by great men of God who have led their generation in worship and the hymns are still a tremendous source of inspiration to many today who are seeking after God in their own special and unique ways.
One of the five hymns sung by Bro Simon Lee (pic) was “Love Lifted Me” and this very hymn struck within me a deep appreciation of richness and depth of meaning of the hymns sung by Christian brothers and sisters in the years before us. Together with a pianist and a drummer, Simon Lee sang the hymns with “gusto” and with a strong melodious voice. A spirit of joy and thankfulness swept over me for the uplifting words of the hymns and the writer would like to share the hymn “Love Lifted Me” with our CM readers as well. Be blessed!
“Love Lifted Me”
This song was based on the familiar story of how Peter went to walk on the water, became afraid, began to sink, cried to the Lord to save him, and was lifted out of the water by Jesus is “Love Lifted Me”. “He was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, Lord save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand….” (Matt. 14.30-31).
The text was written by James Rowe (1865-1933). One of the most prolific hymn poets of the twentieth century, Rowe was born in England but came to the United States in 1890 and settled at Albany, New York, where he married. After working as a railroad employee for a time, he devoted the rest of his life to literary pursuits and became especially noted for writing song texts. By his own record, he produced more than 19,000 hymns for a number of different composers.
For “Love Lifted Me,” Rowe teamed up with the composer Howard E. Smith, who was born in the state of Connecticut, on July 16, 1863. Very little is known about Smith except that he was an active musician throughout his life and served many years as an organist in Connecticut. Although he produced a number of hymn tunes, only this one has become well known. According to Rowe’s daughter, Mrs. Louise Rowe Mayhew, Smith was a little man whose hands had become knotted with arthritis, but he could still play the piano.
Therefore, while Rowe was writing words, Smith would play some notes on the piano and then copy them down. This is how this song was put together in Saugatuck, Connecticut, in 1912. Smith’s lilting melody almost gives the feeling of being tossed on the waves.
Through the years, millions have sung and benefitted from this hymn of Christ’s love.
I. Stanza 1 tells what our spiritual state was before we were saved and what Jesus did to rescue us.
“I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, Now safe am I.”
A. Like Peter was sinking in the water, so all sinners are lost in sin far from the shores of safety : Eph. 2.1-3, 11-12
B. And like Peter was in danger of drowning, so those who are lost in sin are in danger of eternal punishment : Rom. 6.23, 2 Thes.1.7-9
C. However, Jesus, the Master of the sea, came and died on the cross to save us from our sins and bring us back to God : Rom. 5.8, Eph. 2.13-18
II. Stanza 2 tells us what we had to do to be saved–give Him our hearts in obedience to His will.
“All my heart to Him I give, Ever to Him I cling,
In His blessed presence live, Ever His praises sing;
Love so mighty and so true Merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs.”
A. Jesus wants us to give Him our hearts: Prov. 23.26, Matt. 22.37
B. The way in which we give Him our hearts is to yield them in submission to and obey Him who is the author of eternal salvation : Heb.5.8-9.
C. And obeying Christ so that we might receive the salvation that He offers by God’s grace through His blood means that we must believe in Him, repent of sin, and be baptized : Mk. 16.15-16, Acts 2.36-41
III. Stanza 3 tells us what we must do now because we are saved – we must tell the good news to others and seek to save them too.
“Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love Out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be – Be saved today.”
A. We must tell them about the Savior : Mt. 1.21, 1 Tim. 1.15
B. We must teach them the gospel which is God’s power to salvation : Rom. 1.16, 2 Tim. 2.2
C. And we must encourage them to be buried with Christ in baptism that they might rise to walk in newness of life : Rom. 6.3-4
The chorus peals out in joyful praise of the love of Christ which made salvation possible.
“Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.”
Just as Apostle Peter, when he was sinking in the waves of the sea, cried out to Jesus and the Lord caught him, so when we were sinking in our sin and cried out to Jesus in obedient faith, He saves us. Thus, we can truly say and sing aloud that, “Love Lifted Me.”
Praise God for the inspiring hymn for “such a time as this”. Be blessed always!
The church in Seremban : Gereja Baptis Rasah Jaya,
Lot 8572, RJ 3/2, Taman Rasah Jaya, 70300 Seremban
Contacts : 06-6310406 / 016-9836551
Church Chairman – Bro Siow – 012-3068529
Sunday English Service is at 11am.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5vz6QUIDf8
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